The facilities are great (quiet, designated computer lab with printer; classrooms with computer and projector). I believe as with all CELTA courses, they recruit area ESL students whom you can practice on. We had a good mix in our classes of Saudis and Chinese and there was a Columbian woman, a Mexican woman, and an Italian guy. It was so much fun working with such a diverse group of students. There was also some regional diversity within the CELTA trainee group.

The course instructors and manager were friendly, solicitous, and experienced. They instructed us with helpful content (particulary geared toward newer teachers) and gave thoughtful feedback after each of our student-teaching sessions. The manager also followed up with interest in my job search.

I was able to get an overseas job straight out of the program. I think this speaks partially to the CELTA document being a clearly valuable qualification. More importantly, the student-teaching hours and the comments I received from my instructors and peers have undoubtedly made me a better and more reflective, confident teacher.

Of course, I have not experienced a CELTA course at any other location, but if you are looking for this qualification and you are cost-conscious, Springfield would be a great location to get ‘er done!

I recommend taking the five-week course. Even with that extra time, the course is still intensive.

Following the course, I have received a lot of help applying for jobs and continuing my education. It’s been less than a month and I already have a job as a elementary school ESL paraeducator at a public school. I am waiting to hear back about my EPIK application; I’m confident that I’ll be asked for an interview.

I met so many wonderful people during the course: colleagues, instructors, and students. Thank you MSU CELTA Center for changing my live and giving me valuable skills.

By and large though the practice teaching was super informative for me. Even having a few years experience i felt like I learned a lot and that I had very experienced and worthwhile graders to give me feedback and knowledge. It pushed me in a way that I haven’t been pushed in some time and I really enjoyed the experience. I didn’t put any stars for the Job Placement only because I’m already employed and didn’t really explore or need that aspect. Otherwise 5 stars all around.

Best,

In terms of the different CELTA offerings at Missouri State University, I would highly recommend the five-week one. The course is still very intense, but the extra week allows for a more manageable pace along with some down time to refresh and reflect.

As a former business professional, I have completed a variety of educational/certificate programs and I can say without reservation that the CELTA is one of the best I have ever taken. It is rigorous and demanding, but very rewarding. The quality of the Missouri State University course, in particular, is exceptional and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the CELTA.

I would call this practical teaching experience the cornerstone of the CELTA. For us trainees, it was the main source of weal and woe and also the main source of learning. It’s buttressed by an hour of lesson plan guidance before and an hour of trainer/trainee-led feedback after, so you’re never completely on your own, and it always has meaning. You even have to give yourself notes the night following a lesson.

My trainers had my full confidence. We had two whose experience combined to something around 30 years and one ultra-meta teacher-trainer-in-training that pitched in throughout the course. All the trainers know their stuff, which is evident in the input sessions, are organized, and want you to succeed. When a change in the schedule happened, they passed out a new schedule. At the end of the day, they would go over what was due when and where our priorities should be. They made themselves available before and after the official day, were open to extensions, and were genuinely nice people. For instance, the day I arrived in Springfield, my head trainer was there at my MSU-affiliated apartment to welcome me and hand me the keys. Another trainer was my neighbor and let me borrow her Wi-Fi when my roommate and I had trouble with ours.

I was told by other online reviewers that the CELTA would be grammar-intense. Certainly, the pre-course task was, but if that was a diagnostic test, maybe some sort of a formative test could be added mid-course. However, grammar-related input sessions and language analysis sheets (prepared by the student before each lesson) did test the trainees’ knowledge of grammar indirectly.

Input sessions on job placement gave a good overview of the ESL/EFL landscape, what to look for in job ads, what questions to ask during an interview, etc. The trainers urged us to contact them if we had questions during our job searches.

As for the facility and resources, we had access to a room of 15 or so computers, a printer, multiple copy machines, and all the paper clips and colored paper you ever wanted. And our main room had a big locker full of books on English and English pedagogy.

The trainers did a lot to put my mind at ease about any worries I might have. Also, they were patient, knowledgeable and provide excellent feedback. I have learnt a lot of new things thanks to this course and I’m really satisfied about the content. I am really happy to have done it with you! And I’ve already recommended it to my colleagues and friends! Thanks for the course!